LUCKNOW: The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) bowlers rose to the occasion to defend a sub-par total of 163 runs on a sluggish Ekana stadium pitch to record their third win on the trot.
The bowling unit, led by spinner Krunal Pandya and pacer Yash Thakur, did well to bundle out Gujarat Titans for 130 in a night game on Sunday to register a win by 33 runs.
LSG captain KL Rahul read the pitch well as he opted to bat first, knowing that on the slow and low wicket, the rivals would have a tough time chasing a total in the second half. In the end, the LSG skipper was proven right.
In this match, the focus shifted on Yash Thakur who bagged five wickets for 30 and was deservedly named man of the match. This was LSG's first win over GT in five matches over three seasons.
The home team registered a victory despite their star fast bowler Mayank Yadav suffering a side strain and leaving the field after bowling just one over in which he conceded 13 runs. It was just as well that other pace bowler Yash Thakur filled in well for the injured Mayank and picked up five crucial wickets to help the LSG cause.
He was well supported by left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya who picked up three wickets for just 11 runs in his four overs. Leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi also picked up a brilliant catch off his own bowling to send the experienced Kane Williamson back to the pavilion cheaply.
LSG tightened the grip on GT as wickets fell at regular intervals. In the end, LSG won their third game in a fourth, this being two in two at the home ground. They are now third in the points table with six points.
Earlier, despite a fine fifty by all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran's quick 32, GT pacers Umesh Yadav and Darshan Nalkande restricted Lucknow Super Giants to 163/5 during their IPL match at Ekana Stadium on Sunday.
Umesh took two crucial wickets early while Darshan also claimed two wickets. Rashid Khan got one wicket too. LSG suffered an initial setback when their star batter Quinton de Kock smashed a six off the first ball but on the fourth ball of the match, lost his wicket on Umesh's delivery and was caught by Noor Ahmad.
In Umesh's next over, Devdutt Padikkal (7) was also dismissed when Shankar snapped a catch at wide slip. Marnus Stoinis and skipper KL Rahul put on a steady 47 runs inside the powerplay.
Rahul smashed 33 off 31 with the help of three boundaries. Rahul was caught by Rahul Tewatia on a delivery by Darshan Nalkande when the team score was 91/3. Stoinis scored a half-century with the help of four boundaries and two sixers, before being dismissed by Nalkande.
SKIPPER TOLD ME IT COULD BE MY DAY: YASH THAKURLSG pacer Yash Thakur, who stole the show by claiming five wickets against Gujarat Titans, said that skipper KL Rahul told him that it could be his day and his words proved true.
Talking to TOI, Yash said, "I am very happy today as I bagged five wickets. It's my first man of the match award in this IPL season."
"Skipper Rahul told me it could be my day I could help the team win this match. He asked me to have faith in myself," Yash said.
"We had our plan clear and we just had to stick to it," he said.
Lucknow Super Giants hammer Gujarat Titans
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